The National tribune., 1887-12-29
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
LIGHT CAVALRY.
Custer,s Division a Cedar Creek.

VI =
Cedar Creek, Oct 10, 1864, would like TO have
nv saw. The Third Division Of Cavalry, TO
which I belonged, was encamped on the eX-
treme right. The enemy had been quite active
for several days before the battle, and in the
night of the 18th they attacked our pickets
and captured squadron Of the lst Conn. Cav
Quite early in the morning of the 18th we
heard severe fighting on the left, and soon
word came that the Eighth Corps had been
attacked and driven in, with nearly their en-
tire camp captured. Boots aud saddles
sounded, and in short time we were ready for
business About this time the Nineteenth Corps
were getting all they wanted and were COM
mencing 10 look toward Winchester. Gen.
Emory. who commanded this corps had his
horse shot under him quite early in the day.
He took horse from one of his escort and
rode it throughout the day
As a natural consequence Of such an attack
there were a great many stragglers from all
regiments-in fact, the fields for quite a dis
tance seemed covered with them. The Third
Division was then ordered TO do what we al
Wavs hated TO do, form q line across the fields
to stop stragglers. We would have been better
pleased TO have been sent to the front; but the
duty Of soldier is to obey, whether the duty
is pleasant or not. We were not kept there
long for the enemy pressed our troops, and we
had to get back with them. The entire army
now retreated about three miles. The enemy
captured % pieces of artillery and some 5000
prisoners We came TO q halt near Middle
town, where Gen. Wright, who was in COM
mand, formed q line. Here VIC had chance
10 think Of what had been done. Gen. Wright
was slightly wounded in the mouth, but it did
not interfere with his duties. The General
was a good soldier, and brave, but the army
had not the confidence In him which they had
in Gen Sheridan. We heard on all sides:
"Ohl if Little Phil was only here this would
not have happened"
While we were forming and getting ir order
the enemy had stopped to 90 through the camps
Of the infantry, quite number OF the regl-
ments having left tents and everything.
Toward noon, looking up the pike toward
Winchester, a lone horseman was seen dashine
along at great speed: his horse was in foam
As be drew near the soldiers saw that il was
Gen. Sheridan. They commenced to cheer;
word ran along the line from brigade to bri-
gade; it seemed to put new life into the men,
snd many remarked, There viii be something
done now" The army felt that in him they
had received a good reinforcement. A consul
tation was held among the Generals.
Soon word came that the enemy's cavalry
was moving around our right flank. Gen
Sheridan ordered Gen. Custer with the Third
Division Of Cavalry to drive them back. We
were soon on the move, met the enemy's cav
airy. and sent them Whirling back across the
creek.
A forward movement was now ordered of tho
entire army. / think the enemy were as much
surprised now as we were In the morning
When the enemy began to give way the Third
Division OF Cavalry was ordered forward and
charged amid EOlleys of musketry and the
roaring Of artillery. We followed them unit
darkness PIT an end TO the fearful work. And
such a sight it would be hard TO describe-ar
tillery, baggage wagons, headquarters wagons
for miles We recaptured our own artillery
with great number of the enemy's, and the
most OF cur prisoners whom we had lost in the
morning. The victory was complete.
IN regard 70 one corps doing more than an
other, do dot know that there was any differ
ence: all did well. / think If the Sixth Corp
had been IN the place Of the Eighth and Nine
teenth Corps in the morning, it 1.-THE Sixth
would have done rs they did" skedaddled,
though the Sixth Corps was composed of gooC
troops. the most of them veterans of severa
battles, having been with Gen. Mcclellan OF
the Peninsula before Richmond, the Gettys
burg campaign, and with Gen. Grant from th
Wilderness TO Petersburg.
! have also seen it stated that the same re
suit would have been attained if Gen. Sherida
had not come on the field. but this I do nc
believe. We might possibly have held on
own when we were formed, but I have som
doubts of that
The following is the congratulatory order
Gen. George A. Custer TO the Third Division
Cavalry:
READq'Rs Third DIVISION, CAVALRY CoRPs.
MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, Oct. q, 1864.
Soldiers q The Third CGUnlTg DiuisiOn:
With pride and qualification your commandn
General eongratulates you upon your brilliaI
achievements Of the past few days.
On the 9Th OF the present month you attacked
vastly superior force OF the enemys cavalr
strongly posted, with artillery in position. an
commanded by that famous Savior OF the Va
ley" ROsser.
- Notwithstanding the enemy superiority in nun
bers and position you drove him 20 miles. captu
Ing his artillery. SIX pieces in all: also his enti
train Of wagons and nmbulsnees, and large nuI
Der Of prisoners. again, during the memorial
engagement Of the 18Th instant. your condu
throughout sub.imely heroic and witho
parallel in the annals Of warfare. Ia the ear
part Of the day, when disaster and defeat SCENE
20 threaten our noble army upon all sides, 20
calm and determined bearing while exposed Ia
terrible fire from tie eneIny's guns added not
little to restore confidence 20 that portion OF O
srny already broken aud driven back on the rigl
Afterwards, rapidly transferred from the rig
flank 10 the extreme left you materially and 81
cessfully assisted ia defeating the enemy in his
tempt 20 turn the left flank OF our army Aga
ordered on the right flank you attacked and {
feated division Of the enemy's cavalry, drivi
him IN confusion across Cedar Creek Then chan
ing your front 10 the left at a gallon YOU charg
and turned the left flank Of the enemy's line Of b
tie. and pursued his broken and demoralized arm
Aoissance Of five miles Night alone put an end
Among The substantial fruits Of this great v
tory, you can boast Of having captured FIVE bati
Gags, large number Of prisoners. including Ms
Gen Ramseur and - Of the 4s pieces of artiile
taken from tie enemy on that day thus maxi
81 pieces Of artillery which you have captured #,
the enemy within the short period Of 10 days.
This il record Of which you may well be prot
q record Won and established by your gallant
and perseverance.
You have surrounded the name Of The Third c.
airy Division with a halo as enduring as time.
The history of this war. when truthfully writt
will contain no brighter page than that upon VIII
E recorded the chivalrous deeds and glorions
uDphs Of the soldiers Of the Third Division.
q. A. CUSTER,
BrlgadieF-GeneralC Commanding
On the 18th Of September We gave the reb
q thorough whipping at Winchester; on
18th Of October we repeated the operati
with double dose on Cedar Creek, each ii
with the Nineteenth Corps in the center of
line, giving US an arithmetical assembl;
worthy Of remembrance by the american p
pie.
IL was quite late at night when the purs
was discontinued and the troops returned
their old camp ground.-GEoRGE w. To
Sergeant, 5th n. Y. Cav, First Brigade, TIL
Division, Cavalry Corps, Stamford, Conn.
A MINIE-BALLI